Treating a Dog Bite
What to do if you’re bitten by a dog

Remember: A dog bite can be serious and may need the medical attention of a professional if it displays certain warning signs and symptoms. Go to your doctor to treat your dog bite if any of the following is true:
• You were bitten by a cat. As cat bites have a higher rate of infection, it is a good idea to consult a doctor to treat the wound, although it is not necessary for cat scratches.
• If your wound is deep and gaping, or if your bite is on the foot, hand, or head, you may need professional medical assistance with your wound.
• Go to the doctor if you have diabetes, liver or lung disease, cancer, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or another condition that could weaken your ability to fight any infection caused by the bite.
• You developed signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, increased tenderness, oozing of pus from the wound or fever.
• You have bleeding that doesn't stop after 15 minutes of pressure or you think you may have a broken bone, nerve damage or another serious injury.
• Your last tetanus shot (vaccine) was more than 5 years ago. (If so, you may need a booster shot.)
If your wounds are relatively minor, then it is possible to treat the wound by yourself. Here are a few tips for treating dog bites:
You should wash the wound carefully with soap and warm water. Next, apply pressure with a clean towel to the injured part to stop the bleeding. Then, apply a sterile bandage to the wound, keeping the injury elevated above the level of the heart to slow swelling and prevent infection.
Don’t forget to report the incident to the proper authorities, such as animal control or police. Also, be sure to apply antibiotic ointment to the area twice every day until it heals.
Your doctor may examine the wound for possible tendon or nerve damage, or bone injury. He or she will also check for signs of infection. He or she may also give you a tetanus shot if you had your last shot more than 5 years ago. In some cases, you may have to schedule an office visit to check your wound again in 1 to 2 days.
If your injury is severe, or if the infection has not improved even though you're taking antibiotics, your doctor may suggest that you see a specialist and/or go to the hospital, where you can get special medicine given directly in your veins (intravenous antibiotics) and further treatment if necessary.
Your doctor may also use stitches to close a bite wound, but often the wound is left open to heal, so the risk of infection is lowered. You will most likely be prescribed an antibiotic to prevent infection.